Is BMW Working On A New Hybrid Halo Supercar?

BMW's R&D Chief is working hard to make it happen.

BMW still hasn’t built a proper supercar since the M1, but that could change within the next few years. Enthusiasts are begging BMW to build a new supercar that serves as the brand’s halo car, and the German automaker's R&D chief Klaus Frohlich is doing everything in his power to make it happen. Speaking to Drive, the executive hinted that a new BMW supercar could happen as early as 2021 but didn’t confirm if the project has been given the green light.

However, his comments suggest BMW could be working on a new flagship supercar. “A supercar is my personal wish…I think there is a next window of opportunity whenever we have the life cycle for i8,” he told the publication at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. “I’m working very hard to make it happen.”

What isn’t clear is if Frohlich sees the supercar as a potential successor to the i8 or a separate car. He did, however, say he would like to use the i8’s aluminum and carbon fiber platform as a starting point. “The chassis is so robust, so good and so lightweight that I would like to use it for a second generation,” he said. Like the i8, Frohlich envisions the supercar to have a combustion engine linked with electric motors.

With 389 hp on tap, the BMW i8 isn’t in the same league as supercars like the Lamborghini Huracan and Audi R8, but Frohlich suggested his proposed supercar will offer significantly more performance. While large V8 or V10 engines have been ruled out, he thinks a four- or six-cylinder unit will likely power the rear wheels. Electric motors would then drive the front wheels to make the car all-wheel drive.

With this setup, Frohlich believes 600 hp is a good target to aim for and that the car would weigh less than two tonnes. Alas, development of Frohlich’s passion project hasn’t been confirmed yet, so we probably shouldn’t get too excited just yet. Still, at least BMW isn’t ruling out the possibility of developing a new halo car. It all depends if a business case can be made, as he admitted the market is small but it could bolster the brand’s image.

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Here's Proof Alpina Is Working On BMW X7 M Alternative

If an X7 M never materializes, at least we have Alpina.

The BMW X7 is still pretty hot-off-the-presses after being revealed just a few days ago. Like the smaller X5, the X7 is powered by either a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six producing 335 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque or a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 developing 456 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Two diesel engines are also available in Europe.

Even with well over 400 hp in its xDrive50i trim, we're waiting to see if BMW will actually build an M version of the X7. We've seen renderings of what an X7 M could look like but its production is far from guaranteed. Luckily, Alpina is working on its own alternative.

Alpina is a German manufacturer that works closely with BMW to produce high-performance models that are also comfortable. We've even argued that Alpina BMWs are even cooler than BMW M models for a certain type of buyer. Even if BMW doesn't do an X7 M, our spy photographers have just snapped pictures of a mysterious camouflaged X7 on the Nurburgring. Since the X7 has already been revealed, it doesn't make much sense for BMW to still hide it. That's because this is actually a prototype for the upcoming Alpina XD7.

It's hard to infer much about the styling because of the camo. The car appears to have intercoolers behind the front air intakes to help cool down the engine. On the standard X7, these intakes are purely aesthetic. Alpina will likely use the 3.0-liter quad-turbo inline-six diesel engine from the X5 and X7 M50d, which produces 400 hp and 556 lb-ft of torque, though it will likely be tuned to produce at least 450 hp. Along with the performance upgrades, the XD7 will be given a unique interior, quad exhaust tips, and the classic Alpina wheels.

Since BMW doesn't sell the M50d in the US, we doubt the Aplina will be sold here either. Unless Alpina also tuned the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, the XD7 will remain forbidden fruit. Expect the Alpina XD7 to arrive in September 2019 at the Frankfurt Auto Show.